Apple has released a Final Cut Pro X update that adds a slew of new features and expanded support to its video-editing software, most notable among those features being support for 360-degree and VR video. This is a major update for the software, which has been optimized to fully leverage the greater processing power of the new iMac Pro desktop systems.

In version 10.4, Final Cut Pro supports editing 360-degree videos and viewing them in real time using an HTC Vive VR headset. According to Apple, the software supports importing, editing, and delivering these VR videos, with available edits including "immersive effects," removing camera rigs, straightening the horizon, and adding standard videos/images to VR projects.

In addition to its new 360/VR capabilities, Final Cut Pro 10.4 adds support for high dynamic range (HDR) videos in Rec. 2020 HDR10 and Rec. 2020 Hybrid Log Gamma formats, as well as new advanced color grading tools, including color wheels with controls for adjusting brightness, saturation, and hue.

The latest version of Final Cut Pro also offers color curves with multiple control points, enabling users to make "ultra-fine color adjustments," according to Apple. Or, as our Senior Reviewer Richard Butler put it: "Curves! Curves! At long bloody last, Curves!"

Users have both manual white balance and eye dropper color sampling options, as well as the ability to apply custom lookup tables (LUTs) from Color Grading Central, PremiumBeat, and select other color grading apps. The latest version of Final Cut Pro combined with the new iMac Pro desktops also marks the first time a Mac can be used to edit full 8K-resolution videos.

Apple lists the following additional features as arriving in Final Cut Pro 10.4:

The Final Cut Pro 10.4 update is available for free to existing Final Cut Pro owners, while new users will need to pay $300 USD for the application. Apple has also released Motion 5.4 and Compressor 4.4 for free to existing users, and at $50 USD each for new users.

Final Cut Pro X introduces 360-degree VR video editing

Cupertino, California — Apple today announced a major update to its professional video editing app, Final Cut Pro X, with new features including 360-degree VR video editing, advanced color grading tools and support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) video.

Optimized to take full advantage of the incredible performance capabilities of the all-new iMac Pro, Final Cut Pro users can now edit full-resolution 8K video for the first time on a Mac. Apple is also extending 360-degree VR video support to Final Cut Pro companion apps, Motion and Compressor.

Today, with more than 2 million seats, Final Cut Pro X is the most popular version of the software ever and is used by professional video editors to create incredible works of art, from award-winning Hollywood feature films and commercials, to international broadcasts and the world’s most popular YouTube videos.

“With new features like 360-degree VR editing and motion graphics, advanced color grading and HDR support, Final Cut Pro gives video editors the tools to create stunning, next-generation content,” said Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Apps Product Marketing. “When combined with the performance of Mac hardware, including the all-new iMac Pro, Final Cut Pro provides an incredibly powerful post-production studio to millions of video editors around the world.”

Final Cut Pro lets professional editors create VR content with the ability to import, edit and deliver 360-degree video and view the project in real time through a connected HTC VIVE headset with SteamVR. Users can easily add 360-degree titles in 2D or 3D; apply blurs, glows and other immersive effects; and use visual controls to straighten horizons or remove camera rigs from equirectangular videos. Standard photos and videos can also be added to VR projects and 360-degree video can be shared directly to popular websites including YouTube, Facebook and Vimeo.

With support for the most popular HDR formats, Final Cut Pro gains access to an expanded range of brightness levels to deliver incredibly realistic images. Editors can output video to HDR monitors using I/O devices from AJA and Blackmagic with brightness levels up to 10,000 nits. The new color grading tools support both HDR and Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) video, and with tone mapping, users can easily change HDR to SDR output for broadcast.

Motion 5.4 enables users to create immersive 360-degree VR titles and effects that can be instantly accessed in Final Cut Pro. The update also makes it easy to convert between any type of Motion project at any time, create realistic spring-loaded animations with the new Overshoot behavior and apply photographic-inspired looks with new filters. Compressor 4.4 lets users deliver 360-degree video with industry-standard spherical metadata. Compressor also lets users export HEVC and HDR video, while adding a range of new options for delivering MXF files.

Pricing and Availability

Final Cut Pro 10.4 is available as a free update today for existing users, and for $299.99(US) for new users on the Mac App Store. Motion 5.4 and Compressor 4.4 are also available as a free update today for existing users, and for $49.99 (US) each for new users on the Mac App Store. Education customers can purchase the Pro Apps Bundle for Education for $199.99 (US). For more information, please visit: apple.com/final-cut-pro.

Comments

From the begin, Apple was for the "home users" to be able easily write, calculate and even create music.Then they moved to business side after Jobs was put aside and tried to follow Microsoft. When Jobs got back, he went back to creativity where creators tools were important, as the content consumers needs. When Jobs passed away, Apple stopped again caring the professional creators and focused more just to content consumers needs.

Step by step Apple has moved to the point that they can't seem to get things out that is needed by their userbase, instead moving mainly more for the trending things.

At least Apple has kept the video side going somewhat, instead letting the same happen Final Cut Pro that they did with Aperture and Apple iWork.

Apple should focus more to the creators demands on desktops, not just iPad with the Apple Pencil. As they have so great position that they just need to take final steps more seriously.

Final Cut Pro X has come a long way since it’s release, it’s just a shame Apples approach to Macs has gone the opposite. It’s crazy to think back in 2009 I was the worlds biggest Apple Fanboy. I loved everything about them and owned most of their products. Now design has dwarfed functionality and the price vs performance gap has rocketed.

I love Final Cut Pro X! Some are still bashing it because of the initial loss of functionality after the big re-build but those critics can’t have tried it more recently. If you haven’t tried FCPX you should give it a go. Far superior to 7 and far far faster on a Mac than Premiere.

It is a pity that many people talking about FCPX in a very cheap manner here! Looks like these ignorant people have no knowledge that so many films have been made using FCPX. Everyone should understand that it is not the tool, but the creative knowledge in using the tool that brings out the best!

This is awesome! - Tried yesterday. Loads of new useful editing improvements! And of my biggest surprise, my late 2012 mac-mini stayed totally cool trough all the processes. - Not as before! - This is fantastic! - Well done Apple!

I'm not sure about this new ver, but the older ver still doesn't allow me to "Don't save" , "Save" , "Cancel". FCPx auto save everything that is open w/o asking.

My opinion on FCPx is that it is good for news & short TVCs (one off things), any episodic stuff is not so good due to the fact that an editor needs to refer to older eps to check for things & can accidentally adjust something. In the past FCP7, editors simply choose "Don't save" & avoid any screw ups to older eps.

I used to use FCP X but switched to Premiere just because of very basic things. After learning Premiere Pro I have discovered it is so much more advanced than FCPX. I am really surprised Apple has not just trashed it, how does it even sell anymore?

As a video pro, Premiere Pro handles anything I throw at it, and ancillary software like After Effects and Prelude make complex productions possible. The current Lumetri Color tools make color grading as easy for video as LightRoom is for stills.

By comparison, Final Cut Pro has been dumbed down to an advanced version of iMovie, having abandoned the professional market to Adobe and Avid.

I've worked extensively on both systems professionally. FCP was a pain. No native editing. Slow. There was a stage a couple of years ago that we all thought Apple had downgraded it to a consumer platform.

Premiere Pro took a few years to arrive (I started editing on V5 in 1999). But when it did, it began to steal Avid users. Unfortunately I won't move over to the subscription model, so I'm stuck with PP CS6.

Apparently you’re on the side of few who agree with you. And clearly you never got to know the current version, or you wouldn’t say it’s for moms and dads. Did you confuse it with iMovie? Many pros know better.

3rd party or very very basic colour grading. One of the weirdest things I have ever witnessed by a software that is meant to be professional. It's almost like the install only got half way and still works somehow.

Makes you wonder as to how long FCP will be cared for by Apple. Aperture was so touted by them using many well know pros to advertise. It was the best well rounded program but... oh well, we've moved on to more milk toast replacement called Photos for all the casual on the go users. How dedicated they will be with serious video, maybe a while if they can keep the high end video industry to invest in those iMac Pros. If not, well then the hassle of changing programs. Sorry I don't have the loving trust I once had for that fruit.

FCP will be cared for for a long time yet, now that Apple has realized that YouTube creators are their bread and butter. They provide them lots of free advertising, and predominantly use their products. Apple is currently shifting back to valuing creators, but unfortunately Aperture was lost before they realized what a terrible mistake they had made.

The main reason Aperture lost to Lightroom was the "trainers" all decided they'd make more money teaching people how to use Lightroom. Apple saw the writing on the wall. With FCP, they already have a big enough audience to keep it going, and with the iMac Pro and Mac Pros that are coming, would never think of dumping FCPX. That would be the end of all this investment in pro gear. Sure, VR would still be there, but would that be enough? Interesting thought worth pondering.

Resolve is great and agree that it offers far more control with colour... BUT, FCPX is way faster and more stable. This 10.4 upgrade is excellent and IMO makes FCPX a better all-in-one solution for low-mid level docs etc where quick turnaround is paramount.

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